Stage-ship.



G. T. VIVIAN.

STAGE SHIP.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19, 1916.

1,281,885., Patented 051;. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET I- G. T. VlVlAN.

STAGE SHIP.

APPLICATION FILED ocr. 19. ms.

1,281,885, Patented 001;. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- GEORGE T. VIVIAN, OF FLUSI'TING, NEW YORK.

' STAGE-SHIP.

Specification of Iletters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1918.

Application filed October 19, 1916. Serial No. 126,507.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. VIVIAN, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, and aresident of Flushing, Long Island, in the county of Queensand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Stage-Ships, of which the following is a specification.

The invention is an improvement in stage ships, and its object is toprovide a simple, safe and effective portable construction for obtaininga realistic pitching and rolling effect. This is accomplished by meansof improvements and combinations hereinafter set forth, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the ship;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the double cradle support;

Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the support.

The upper part 2 of the device is a suitable structure simulating a shipof the particular type selected. The lower portion of this structure,below the wave line, constitutes one of the elements of the doublecradle support hereinbefore referred to, being mounted to rock laterallyon an elongated lower cradle 3, which in turn may rock longitudinally ona base 4.

The base 4 may consist of a low oblong frame. resting on casters 5,enabling it to be moved easily about the stage. Carried by this frame isa transverse shaft 6, whereon the cradle or immediate oblong frame 3 ispivotally supported at its center, the bottom of this cradle incliningupward in {both directions to permit its rocking. A longitudinal shaft 7on the cradle 3 constitutes a pivotal support for the cradle bottom ofthe ship structure. In this instance the said bottom comprises aplurality of cross-plates 8 having oblique lower edges, thesecrossplates having their central lower portions adjacent bearings 20 oncross-pieces 9 of the lower cradle, through which and through the platesthe shaft 7 passes.

It will be noted that the cradle or intermediate frame 8 lies close tothe bottom frame and is in fact included between its longitudinal sidemembers. The supporting structure as a whole is low and compact, welldesigned to withstand the strains of operation, and incapable of beingoverturned, in spite of its portable character.

Buffer springs 10 and 11 are secured upon the base frame and the lowercradle, respectively, to cushion the longitudinal and lateral rocln'ngmovements, these springs being normally free of the rocking membersabove and being compressed thereby toward the end of the throw in eitherdirection, so as to overcome the momentum and start the part back uponits movement in the opposite direction. The fact that the buffer springsare normally spaced from the parts with which they are to contact isdesirable, in that the free rocking movements checked toward their endclosely simulate the actual motion of a vessel.

Lever and link mechanisms may be provided for operating the rockingmembers, the levers 12 and 13 being fulcrumed by means of rock-shafts l4and 15 on the base and connected by crank arms 16 and 17 and links 18and 19 with the respective rocking parts. The lever 12 controlling theside motion is located behind the central part of the ship. The otherlevers controlling the pitching motion may be preferably disposed nearthe ends. It is found in practice, however, that the levers 13 and theconnected linkage may be dispensed with, the upper structure beingrocked by direct manual effort of stage hands concealed behind the ship.The lever 12, however, is of decided value in controlling the sidemotion.

It will be noted that in this ship the cradle that produces the rollingmovement is above and the pitching movement cradle below. This gives alonger radius for the pitching movement, which is of advantage inobtaining a realistic effect.

What I claim as new is:

1. A stage ship comprising in combination a bottom oblong frame mountedon rollers, an intermediate oblong frame lying close to the bottom frameand pivotally supported thereon upon a central transverse thelongitudinal members of the bottom axis, and a ship-like body supportedupon frame, a central transverse pivot connecting the intermediate frameupon a longitudinal, the frames, and. as shipvlike body supported 1axis. I upon-the intermediate frame, upon-a longi- 5 2. A' stage shipcomprising in combinatudinal aXis.

tion a bottom oblong frame, an intermediate oblong frame lying close toand between GEORGE T. VIVIAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

